Saturday, February 15, 2025

[Botany • 2025] Primula yanbianensis (Primulaceae) • A New Species from Sichuan, China


Primula yanbianensis T.Shuai, Lei Cai & Z.K.Wu,

in Shuai, Lin, Cai, Chen et Wu, 2025. 
盐边报春 || DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.252.140026  

Abstract
Primula yanbianensis T.Shuai, Lei Cai & Z.K.Wu, a new species of Primulaceae from Sichuan, China, is described and illustrated. Morphological evidence supports P. yanbianensis as a member of P. sect. Cortusoides, which is characterised by lack of farina, generally well furnished with multicellular hairs, subrounded leaf blades are more or less lobed, with distinct petiole and a deeply cordate base and campanulate or narrowly campanulate calyx not accrescent after anthesis. The new species is characterised by having umbel in whorls of 1–2, scape usually lower than leaf clusters, bracts broadly ovate and rose to pink petals distinctly veined. The distribution, morphological comparison with closely-related species and conservation status of the new species are also provided.

Key words: New species, Primula sect. Cortusoides, Sichuan, yan bian bao chun

Primula yanbianensis sp. nov.
A habit B leaves, left: upper surface, right: lower surface C flower, left: thrum flower, right: pin flower D calyx and stigma E calyx and ovary.
Drawn by Ms. Xiang-Li Wu.

Primula yanbianensis sp. nov.
A habitat B habit in flowering C fresh plant with roots D inflorescence E leaves, left: upper surface, right: lower surface F bracts and calyx G calyx and stamens H flower, front view I pin flower and thrum flower.
Photographed by Z.K.Wu.

 Primula yanbianensis T.Shuai, Lei Cai & Z.K.Wu, sp. nov.
 
Diagnosis: The new species is most similar to P. neurocalyx, P. longipilosa and P. sinomollis, sharing multicellular hairs covering the plant, subrounded leaf blade are more or less lobed, with distinct petiole and a deeply cordate base and campanulate or narrowly campanulate calyx. However, the new species is distinguished from the latter three mainly by its scape usually being lower than leaf clusters, umbel is in whorls of 1–2, broadly ovate bracts and rose to pink petals are distinctly veined (Figs 1–3). The main morphological distinctions between P. yanbianensis, P. neurocalyx, P. longipilosa and P. sinomollis are summarised in Table 1.
...

Etymology. The specific epithet of the new species is taken from the Chinese Pinyin “yanbian”, the name of the county in south-western Sichuan, China, where the type specimen was collected (Map 1).

Vernacular name. Chinese mandarin: yan bian bao chun (盐边报春).


 Tian Shuai, Hong-qiang Lin, Lei Cai, Yu-fan Chen and Zhi-kun Wu. 2025. Primula yanbianensis (Primulaceae), A New Species in Primula sect. Cortusoides from Sichuan, China. PhytoKeys 252: 109-118. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.252.140026  

[Botany • 2025] Syagrus harenae (Arecaceae)Hidden in the Mountain: A New rare Syagrus with morphological novelties


 Syagrus harenae B.F.Sant’Anna-Santos, 

in Sant’Anna-Santos, Nunes, Micheli et Francino, 2025. 

Abstract
Background and aims – The Serra do Ambrósio is a mountain with a unique vegetation called carrasco. The carrasco is characterised by sandy soils of high granulometry and is home to rare species. During the current research on the Arecaceae flora of the Diamantina Plateau, a new Syagrus species was discovered, which is described here.

Material and methods – The morphology and anatomy are described based on field collections. The pinnae anatomy was analysed using LM (free-hand cross sections). The new species belongs to the Syagrus glaucescens complex, and an identification key and a distribution map were created.

Key results – Syagrus harenae resembles S. glaucescens, but some characteristics easily differentiate it, such as the small size, lax pinnae, symmetric pinnae tips, ramenta scales, a scattered thin indumentum on the peduncle, inflorescences and fruits orangish-yellow, and pistil with indumentum. The new species also possesses flowers arranged in tetrads and pentads and is the first species of Syagrus showing two sepals, petals with imbricate tips, staminodes with anthers, and frequently lacks staminodial rings. The pinnae anatomy of the new species also resembles S. glaucescens, which indicates their relatedness. However, reliable differences in pinnae anatomy set the new species apart, such as the fibrous ring reaching the abaxial hypodermis and the large first adaxial fibre bundle near the margin. The new species is assessed as critically endangered.

Conclusion – Syagrus harenae is the first endemic species of the genus described for the Serra do Ambrósio and possesses striking characteristics, such as the re-greening of the pistillate flowers and flowers arranged in tetrads and pentads. The type population corroborates the Diamantina Plateau and its disjunctions as one of the centres of diversity for Syagrus. The discovery of this new species reinforces the uniqueness of the local flora and its classification as a priority area for conservation.

Keywords: campo rupestre, carrasco, Espinhaço Range, Palmae, Serra do Ambrósio, taxonomy

 Syagrus harenae.
 A. Prostrated stem. B. Sheathing leaf arranged in 5 nearly vertical or slightly spiralled rows. C. Flowers arranged in tetrads. D. Sepals connate at the base. E. Flowers arranged in pentads. F. Fruits. G. Endocarp pores
. A–G from Sant’Anna-Santos & Francino 406 (DIAM, holotype). 
Illustration by Gustavo Surlo.

Vegetative morphological aspects of Syagrus harenae.
A. Landscape photograph of the type locality: a group of individuals (white rectangles) growing on the sandy soils near rock outcrops (ro). B. The white arrowhead indicates the prostrated stem. C. Ramenta (black arrowheads) on the pinnae abaxial surface (ab) and leaf rachis with brownish tomentum (ra). D. Long tapering pinnae tips (white arrowheads). E. Pinnae: dark-green adaxial surface (ad) and glaucous abaxial surface (ab). F. Pinnae inserted in divergent planes over the rachis (rc). G. Fibres (white arrowheads) of the pseudopetiole. H. Leaf sheath (sh), peduncular bract (pb), and prophyll (pr).
Photographs by Bruno F. Sant’Anna-Santos.

Floral morphology of Syagrus harenae
A. Staminate flowers on rachillae upper 1/3 and triads on its lower 2/3: staminate flowers in pre-anthesis (two black arrowheads). B. Tetrads (two white circles): staminate flowers in anthesis (two black arrowheads). C. Inflorescence bearing only pistillate flowers (after staminate flowers’ senescence). D. Triad: sessile staminate flowers, yellow pistillate flowers. E. Pedicellate staminate flowers (two black arrowheads), green pistillate flowers. F. Tetrad: two central pistillate flowers flanked by two staminate flowers. G. Pentad on lateral view: three central pistillate flowers flanked by two staminate flowers (two black arrowheads). H. Pentad: top view. Staminate flowers (two black arrowheads). I. Apex and base staminate flowers. Three petals (pe). J. Staminate flower: petals (pe) longer than ... 
Photographs by Bruno F. Sant’Anna-Santos
Fruit morphology of Syagrus harenae
A. Infructescence. B. Immature fruit: epicarp green in colour and recovered by a scaly lepidote tomentum. C. Mature fruit: epicarp orange in colour and recovered by a scaly lepidote tomentum. D. Fibrous mesocarp (me). Epicarp (ep). Endocarp (en). E. Three apical endocarp pores: top view. F. Endocarp pore, lateral view. G. Longitudinal section: brownish endocarp (en) and whitish endosperm (ed). 
Photographs by Bruno F. Sant’Anna-Santos.

Syagrus harenae B.F.Sant’Anna-Santos, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Syagrus harenae is similar to S. glaucescens Glaz. ex Beccari, from which it differs by lax pinnae on the leaf rachis (vs congested pinnae), apical pinnae size (8–12 × 0.2–0.4 vs 1.5–6 × 0.2–1.0), pinnae with symmetrical tip (vs asymmetrical); base of the stem not-angular (vs angular), brownish indumentum where pinnae are inserted on the lower leaf rachis (vs glabrous); prostrated stem (vs erect); sheathing leaf base length (10–28 cm vs 42–52 cm), lax sheathing leaf base (vs congested); inflorescence strongly pendulous (vs erect ou slightly pendulous); peduncle with scattered thin indumentum (vs glabrous); petal tips imbricate (vs valvate); pistil with whitish indumentum on lower 1/3 (vs glabrous), inconspicuous staminodial ring (vs conspicuous staminodal ring); fruit yellowish-orange when mature (vs brownish).

Etymology: The specific epithet, harenae, means sand and refers to the unique sandy soil where the new species grows in the Serra do Ambrósio mountain.
 
Morphological aspects of  Syagrus harenae with ecological implications.
A. Fly on the peduncular bract. B. A bee visiting a pistillate flower. C. A bee visiting a staminate flower. D. Beetle. E–F. Larvae (two white arrowheads). G–H. Fruits and endocarps on the sandy soil. I. Mesocarp damaged (da) by fruit predation. J–K. Pendulous infructescences almost reaching the ground (three white circles), and young plants (two white arrowheads) near adult plants.
Photographs by Bruno F. Sant’Anna-Santos.


 Bruno Francisco Sant’Anna-Santos, Elaine Lopes Pereira Nunes, Rafael Micheli and Dayana Maria Teodoro Francino. 2025. Hidden in the Mountain: A New rare Syagrus (Arecaceae) with morphological novelties. Plant Ecology and Evolution. 158(1): 63-81. DOI: doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.140657

[Crustacea • 2025] Trapezionida hercules, Typhlonida annieae, Munidopsis giribeti, etc. • New Species of Deep-sea Galatheoidea (Anomura: Galatheidae, Munididae, Munidopsidae) from Central Pacific Seamounts, with remarks on their phylogenetic placement, habitat associations, and significance for the biogeography of squat lobsters

 

Munidopsis giribeti
Rodríguez-Flores, 2025


Abstract
Seamounts in the Central Pacific Ocean remain largely unexplored. Squat lobsters, a major deep-sea invertebrate group, are poorly known in this area, whereas recent sampling efforts in the Western Pacific have resulted in a populated database of Galatheoidea Samouelle, 1819. Material recently collected by the E/V Nautilus during several expeditions to Central Pacific seamounts is reviewed herein, revealing the presence of 16 species. Ten species constitute geographic range expansions, and five are new taxa: Trapezionida hercules sp. nov., T. tapina sp. nov., Typhlonida annieae sp. nov., Munidopsis giribeti sp. nov., and M. nemo sp. nov. Using 3D imaging via micro-CT scanning and molecular phylogenetic analysis of COI and 16S mitochondrial genes, these species are described and illustrated, and their phylogenetic positions are revealed. Several of the new species represent highly divergent lineages not closely related to known species, indicating a need to continue exploring the deep ocean in the Central Pacific. The study herein also describes the habitats and biological associations of these species, ranging from corals to chemosynthetic environments. The new data fill an important geographic gap in the distribution of squat lobster species and contribute to understanding the speciation processes and connectivity among seamounts in the Pacific Ocean.

 
 
Paula C Rodríguez-Flores. 2025. New Species of Deep-sea Galatheoidea (Anomura: Galatheidae, Munididae, Munidopsidae) from Central Pacific Seamounts, with remarks on their phylogenetic placement, habitat associations, and significance for the biogeography of squat lobsters. Journal of Crustacean Biology.  45(1); ruae080. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/jcbiol/ruae080

[Herpetology • 2025] Gehyra shiva • A New limestone-dwelling Four-clawed Gecko (Squamata, Gekkonidae: Gehyra) from Sa Kaeo Province, eastern Thailand

 

Gehyra shiva
Meesook, Donbundit, Jindamad, Topai, Kunya, Suthanthangjai, Chotjuckdikul, Chonkamnord, Sumontha & Pauwels, 2025

จิ้งจกหินศิวะ  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5588.2.12 
 
Abstract
We describe Gehyra shiva sp. nov. from limestone cave and hills in Khlong Hat District, Sa Kaeo Province, eastern Thailand, near the border with Cambodia. The new species differs from all currently recognized Southeast Asian Gehyra by the following combination of morphological characters and dorsal color pattern: maximal known snout–vent length of 53.8 mm, 8–10 supralabials, 54–67 dorsal and 46–56 ventral scale rows around midbody, absence of skin folds on limbs, 34–37 preanofemoral pores in males in a continuous series extending along the whole length of the femur (pores absent in females), tail not to moderately widened behind vent in adults, a single row of widened subcaudals, digits and toes unwebbed, 7 or 8 divided subdigital lamellae on 4th toe, and a dorsal pattern with five regular dark brown bands between limb insertions, separated or not by pairs of large, white round paravertebral spots.

Reptilia, Gehyra shiva sp. nov., taxonomy, morphology, karst, cave



Gehyra shiva sp. nov.



Worawitoo MEESOOK, Nattasuda DONBUNDIT, Tanasak JINDAMAD, Nittaya TOPAI, Kirati KUNYA, Winai SUTHANTHANGJAI, Maneerat SUTHANTHANGJAI, Natthaphat CHOTJUCKDIKUL, Teeraphat CHONKAMNORD, Montri SUMONTHA and Olivier S. G. PAUWELS. 2025. A New limestone-dwelling Four-clawed Gecko from Sa Kaeo Province, eastern Thailand (Squamata, Gekkonidae: Gehyra).  Zootaxa. 5588(2); 381-395. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5588.2.12 [2025-02-14]

[Herpetology • 2025] Epipedobates currulao (Anura: Dendrobatidae) • Honoring the Afro-Colombian Musical Culture with the Naming of A Frog from the Pacific Rainforests

 

 Epipedobates currulao  
Betancourth-Cundar, Ríos-Orjuela, Crawford, Cannatella & Tarvin, 2025

Currulao Nurse Frog | Rana nodriza de currulao  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1226.123803  

Abstract
The number of amphibian species described yearly shows no signs of slowing down, especially in tropical regions, implying that the biodiversity of amphibians remains woefully underestimated. A new species of poison frog is described from the Pacific lowlands of southwestern Colombia: Epipedobates currulao sp. nov., named for the Pacific music and dance genre known as "currulao" or "bambuco viejo". This species inhabits lowland forests from 0–260 m a.s.l. This taxon differs from congeners by having a combination of bright yellow blotches in the dorsal anterior region of the thigh and upper arm, homogenous dark-brown dorsal coloration, and advertisement calls of long duration and many pulses. We also describe the courtship call of E. currulao sp. nov., which is lower in frequency and shorter in duration than its advertisement call. Molecular phylogenetic analyses confirm the monophyly of the populations sampled and its position as the sister species of Epipedobates narinensis, which occurs in southwestern Colombia. Among species of Epipedobates, the new species has been previously confused with E. boulengeri, but the two species are allopatric and represent two divergent clades (1.77% divergent for 12S–16S and 5.39% for CYTB). These species can be distinguished by the presence of a bright yellow blotch on the dorsal anterior region of the thigh and on the upper arm of E. currulao sp. nov., blotches that are either more white than yellow or absent in E. boulengeri. In addition, the advertisement calls are distinct, with E. currulao sp. nov. having a single but long call in each call series while E. boulengeri has 2–6 calls in a series with each call being much shorter in length. Epipedobates currulao sp. nov. is the most northern species of Epipedobates, which extends southwards along the western edge of the Andes. Known as the Chocó, this biogeographic region has been largely converted to agriculture in Ecuador and is experiencing widespread transformation in Colombia, which may endanger E. currulao sp. nov. and biodiversity in the region.  

Key words: Alpha taxonomy, bioacoustics, Chocó, DNA barcoding, megadiverse, music, new species, poison frogs





Images in life and in preservative of the holotype of Epipedobates currulao sp. nov.
A full specimen in life B dorsal view in life C ventral view in life D lateral view in life E dorsal view in preservative (70% ethanol) F ventral view in preservative G lateral view in preservative H dorsal hand in preservative I ventral hand in preservative J dorsal foot in preservative K ventral foot in preservative.
Scale bars: 5 mm (B–G); 2.5 mm (H–K).

Images in life of  Epipedobates currulao sp. nov. in comparison with close congeners and sympatric species
 Epipedobates currulao sp. nov. from the type locality of Ladrilleros, Valle de Cauca, Colombia (ANDES:A:5261; SVL = 20.0 mm; adult male; paratype) B E. narinensis from Biotopo, Nariño, Colombia (ANDES:A:3704; 16.39 mm; adult male); C. Andinobates minutus from Ladrilleros, Valle de Cauca, Colombia (ANDES:A:5266; 13 mm; sex not determined)
E. boulengeri from Isla Gorgona, Cauca, Colombia (individual not captured) E E. espinosai from Río Palenque, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador (individual not captured) F E. aff. espinosai from La Nutria, Nariño, Colombia (ANDES:A:2476; 17.77 mm; sex not determined)
E. boulengeri from Maragrícola, Nariño, Colombia (ANDES:A:2472; 18.96 mm; adult female) H A side-by-side image of E. boulengeri from Isla Gorgona (ANDES:A:3695; 20.65 mm; adult female) and E. currulao sp. nov. from Pianguita, Valle de Cauca, Colombia (ANDES:A:3690; 16.42 mm; adult female) demonstrating the large size difference between the two species.
All images were taken by Rebecca D. Tarvin except for A and C, which were taken by Juan Camilo Ríos-Orjuela. Photos are not to scale.

 Epipedobates currulao sp. nov.
  Proposed English common name: Currulao Nurse Frog 
Proposed Spanish common name: Rana nodriza de currulao

Diagnosis: Epipedobates currulao is a small dendrobatid frog (SVL mean = 17.99 mm and SD = 0.95 mm, n = 16 frogs; Tables 1, 2) with uniformly brown dorsal coloration, black sides, a white to yellow oblique lateral stripe, a bright yellow blotch on the anteriodorsal side of thigh and on the upper arm, and a pale-blue or turquoise venter with black mottling (Fig. 2, Suppl. material 3). Calls of E. currulao sp. nov. are long with a call duration of 0.67–3.88 s (mean = 2.21, SD = 0.54 s, n = 15) and 22–122 pulses per call (mean = 73.98, SD = 18.77, n = 15). They occur in call series of only one call (Tables 3, 4).

Etymology: The specific epithet "currulao" is a noun in apposition of masculine gender. It refers to the musical genre that originated on the southern Pacific coast of Colombia and Ecuador, where E. currulao occurs and also contributes to the local soundscape. Currulao, also known as bambuco viejo, is an Afro-Colombian sounded practice that inspires dancing and transmits the happiness and cultural tradition of this region. It is a symbol of resilience in the face of racial and regional oppression (Abadía 1973; Aristizabal 2002; Birenbaum Quintero 2006, 2019). We named this species in honor of, and as an homage to, this musical genre that represents the culture of the southern Colombian Pacific because: “la música, como la vida, no se pueden dejar perder”, which translates to “music, like life, cannot be allowed to be lost” (Cruz Hoyos 2016).
  
Habitat structure of Epipedobates currulao sp. nov. at two localities
A–C images of the type locality at Ladrilleros, Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Usually, this species is found on roadsides near streams formed by rainfall
D–F at the type locality, we observed frogs in habitats contaminated with garbage or agricultural waste. Note the frog in F (red circle)
G–J habitat characteristics in Anchicayá, Dagua, Valle del Cauca, Colombia.
Images B, C, and E were taken by Rebecca D. Tarvin, all others by Mileidy Betancourth-Cundar.


Mileidy Betancourth-Cundar, Juan Camilo Ríos-Orjuela, Andrew J. Crawford, David C. Cannatella and Rebecca D. Tarvin. 2025. Honoring the Afro-Colombian Musical Culture with the Naming of Epipedobates currulao sp. nov. (Anura, Dendrobatidae), A Frog from the Pacific Rainforests. ZooKeys. 1226: 139-170. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1226.123803  

Resumen: El número de especies de anfibios descritas cada año continúa aumentando, especialmente en las regiones tropicales, lo que implica que la biodiversidad de anfibios sigue siendo subestimada. Se describe una nueva especie de rana venenosa de las tierras bajas del Pacífico del suroccidente de Colombia: Epipedobates currulao sp. nov., nombrada así por el género de música y danza del Pacífico conocido como "currulao" o "bambuco viejo". Las ranas de esta especie habitan en bosques de tierras bajas desde el nivel del mar hasta los 260 m. Este taxón se diferencia de sus congéneres por tener una combinación de manchas amarillas brillantes en la región dorsal anterior del muslo y los brazos, una coloración dorsal homogénea marrón oscuro y cantos de advertencia más largos y en consecuencia con mayor número de pulsos. También describimos la llamada de cortejo de E. currulao, con menor frecuencia pico y duración que la llamada de advertencia. Los análisis filogenéticos confirman la monofilia de la especie y su posición como hermana de Epipedobates narinensis, la cual se distribuye en el suroccidente de Colombia. Entre las especies de Epipedobates, la nueva especie ha sido previamente asignada a E. boulengeri, pero las dos especies son alopátricas y representan dos clados filogenéticamente divergentes (1.77% divergentes para 12S–16S y 5.39% para CYTB). Estas especies se pueden distinguir fenotípicamente por la presencia de una mancha amarilla brillante en la región dorsal anterior del muslo y en la parte superior del brazo en E. currulao sp. nov., que son más blancas que amarillas o están ausentes en E. boulengeri. Además, los cantos de advertencia son distintos, E. currulao sp. nov. tiene una única y larga llamada en una serie de llamadas, mientras que E. boulengeri tiene de 2 a 6 llamadas por serie, siendo cada llamada mucho más corta. Epipedobates currulao es la especie distribuida más al norte del género Epipedobates, el cual se extiende hacia el sur a lo largo del flanco occidental de la cordillera de los Andes. Esta región conocida como el Chocó biogeográfico, ha sido fuertemente transformada por agricultura en Ecuador y está experimentando una transformación generalizada de sus bosques en Colombia, lo cual pone en peligro a E. currulao sp. nov. y toda su biodiversidad en un futuro cercano. Una traducción del texto principal al español está disponible en el material suplementario 8.

[Botany • 2025] Chiloschista tjiasmantoi (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Vandeae: Aeridinae) • A New Species from Sumatra Island, Indonesia


Chiloschista tjiasmantoi  Metusala,

in Metusala, 2025.  

Abstract
Chiloschista tjiasmantoi, a new species of epiphytic leafless orchid from the northernmost region of Sumatra Island, Indonesia, is described and illustrated. The flower of this new species is morphologically close to C. javanica, but differs in having oblong-obovate petals, narrowly oblique oblong side lobes with truncate to obtuse apex, and a different shape of lip sac.

Key words: Aceh, leafless orchid, morphology, Southeast Asia

Chiloschista tjiasmantoi sp. nov. (A, B) and Chiloschista javanica (C, D)
A inflorescence B flower, oblique view. C flower, front view D flower, oblique view.
Photos by Destario Metusala.

Chiloschista tjiasmantoi sp. nov.
A habitus with inflorescence B flower, natural shape, front view C flower, natural shape, oblique view D dorsal sepal, flat shape E petal, flat shape F lateral sepal, flat shape G column and foot, oblique view H column and foot, front view I column and lip, side view J pollinia K stipe and viscidium L lip, above view M lip interior, back view.
Line drawing by Destario Metusala from RIO 9118.

Chiloschista tjiasmantoi sp. nov.
 Flowering plants in situ.
photos by Alfajaruddin.

 Chiloschista tjiasmantoi Metusala, sp. nov.
 
Diagnosis: Chiloschista tjiasmantoi is morphologically similar to C. javanica, but differs in having oblong-obovate petals (vs. broadly elliptic to ovate petals), narrowly oblique oblong side lobes with truncate to obtuse apex (vs. relatively straight triangular side lobes with obtuse apex), a lip sac that has a “V” shape in longitudinal section view with a narrow angle of about 45–50° (vs. a lip sac that has an “L” shape in longitudinal section view with a wide angle of about 90°), and a very narrow cavity between the apex of the hairy callus and the thick curved front lobe of the lip (vs. a rather broad cavity).

Etymology: The specific epithet “tjiasmantoi” honors Wewin Tjiasmanto, the chairman of Tjiasmanto Conservation Fund and a philanthropist concerned with the Indonesian plant conservation.


 Destario Metusala. 2025. A New Species of Genus Chiloschista (Aeridinae, Vandeae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) from Sumatra Island, Indonesia.  PhytoKeys. 252: 65-76. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.252.138190 

Friday, February 14, 2025

[Botany • 2024] Rohdea maoershanensis (Asparagaceae) • A New Species from Guangxi, South China

 
Rohdea maoershanensis  

in Li, Huang, Tang, He, ... et Jiang, 2024. 

Abstract
A new species, Rohdea maoershanensis, endemic to the Mao’er Mountain National Nature Reserve in northern Guangxi, is described herein. It is morphologically similar to R. chinensis, R. jinshanensis, and R. chlorantha, but it is easy to distinguish from the latter three because of leaves 9–13, linear, length of peduncle about 22 cm, length of bract about 3 mm, triangular lanceolate, filament base enlarged and connected to form a rough annular appendage, ovary is flattened spherical shape. Following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (Version 3.1) [C2(a)(ii)], the species is preliminarily classified as Endangered (EN).

Campylandra, new taxon, Mao’er Mountain National Nature Reserve, Monocots



Rohdea maoershanensis


Jian-Ling LI, Yao-Heng HUANG, Zhong-Xiang TANG, Qiu-Lan HE, Shao-Neng WANG, Bo QIN, Sheng-Hua LIANG and Ri-Hong JIANG. 2024. Rohdea maoershanensis, A New Species of Asparagaceae from Guangxi, South China.  Phytotaxa. 671(2); 198-204. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.671.2.9 [2024-11-12] 
x.com/ChinaScience/status/1890113718945755208

[Entomology • 2025] Georissus fikaceki & G. tsokolate • First Georissidae (Coleoptera) from the Philippines with Description of Two New Species of Georissus Latreille, 1809

  

Georissus fikaceki and G. tsokolate
 Ibarra, Bantiding & Delocado, 2025 


This paper describes the first two Georissus species in the Philippines, namely Georissus fikaceki sp. n. from Luzon (Ilocos Norte, La Union) and G. tsokolate sp. n. from Bohol. The new species can be differentiated morphologically from their congeners due to the patterns of bulges and ridges near the frons, microsculptures on the pronotum, elevations formed by intervals in the elytra, and aedeagal details. Close examination of morphology suggests that the Philippine species cannot be assigned to any of the currently acknowledged Georissus subgenera, and thus this study suggests revisions and updating of the current subgeneric classification. Corroborating the morphological differences, COI-5′ DNA data shows a high interspecific genetic distance of 17.75% between the two new species and intraspecific distances <3% for both species. This paper also generates the first barcodes and a checklist of Georissus in Southeast Asia.

Keywords: DNA barcodes; new species; Philippine biodiversity; riparian beetles


Georissus fikaceki sp. n. 
 G. tsokolate sp. n. 


 John Windale B. Ibarra, Fernan Joseph A. Bantiding and Emmanuel D. Delocado. 2025. First Georissidae (Coleoptera) from the Philippines with Description of Two New Species of Georissus Latreille, 1809. Tijdschrift voor Entomologie. 167: 45–58. DOI: doi.org/10.1163/22119434-bja10032

[Ichthyology • 2025] Homatula gelao • A New nemacheiline Species of loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from the upper Yangtze River basin in Guizhou Province, southwestern China


Homatula gelao Xiao,

in G.-B. Xiao, Guo, Cao, Lin, WeXi Deng, Q.-Q. Xiao, Zhou, Zhang et Fang, 2025. 
仡佬荷马条鳅  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.141973 

 Abstract
Homatula gelao, a new species, is here described from the Wu-Jiang of the Yangtze River basin in Guizhou province, southwestern China. This new species belongs to the elongate-bodied group of Homatula defined by having a complete lateral line, sparsely scales hidden in skin on the predorsal body, and a slender body with a uniform depth. It, along with H. variegata, is distinguished from all other species of this group in having a broadly rounded caudal fin and a small number of scales sparsely scattered over the predorsal body. Both differ in body coloration, striped pattern on the predorsal body, and caudal-peduncle length. The validity of the new species is corroborated by distinct genetic distance divergence with closely related congeneric species and its monophyly recovered in a mtDNA COI gene-based phylogenetic analysis. It is separated from other Homatula species by a minimum of 8.2% Kimura 2-parameter distance in the COI gene.

Key Words: Homatula gelao, new species, morphological comparison, taxonomy, Yangtze River basin

Lateral (A), dorsal (B), and ventral (C) views of Homatula gelao, holotype, ZVTC 20200601, 127.6 mm SL, caught from Furong-Jiang, a tributary flowing into Wu-Jiang of the Yangtze River basin, at Huaiping Village, Daozhen Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, Guizhou Province, P. R. China.

 Homatula gelao Xiao, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: A member of the elongate-bodied group of Homatula defined by having a slender body with a uniform depth (9.2%–14.4% of SL), a complete lateral line, and a scarcely scaled or scaleless predorsal body. H. gelao resembles H. variegata in the presence of a broadly rounded (vs. truncate or obliquely truncate) caudal fin and scales sparsely scattered on the predorsal body (vs. predorsal body unscaled or sparsely scaled on the dorsum and flank), which distinguishes both from all other species of this group (H. berezowskii, H. guanheensis, H. laxiclathra, H. longidorsalis, H. oxygnathra, and H. tigris). It differs from H. variegata in possessing a body coloration of 17–18 brown vertical bars narrower than interspaces, particularly on the Caudal peduncle flank (vs. dense, undulating vertical bars slightly wider or equal to interspaces); a thick brown-black stripe running along dorsal midline from behind head to dorsal fin origin; and symmetrical black vertical bars on sides of body (vs. light brown spots on the dorsum and irregular markings on the sides of the body); and a longer (vs. equal) distance from the origin of the anal fin to the origin of the pelvic fin than the distance from the origin of the anal fin to the base of the caudal fin.

Sampling locality of Homatula gelao in the Huaixi-He, tributary to the Furong-Jiang in Huaiping Village, Jiucheng Town, Daozhen Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, Zunyi City, Guizhou Province, P. R. China; 2 June 2020, photographed by Guibang Xiao. 
The view of perched states of a fresh individual of Homatula gelao in Daozhen Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, Guizhou, P. R. China. The white arrow indicates the backwater areas. Red arrow indicates the natural habitat state of H. gelao. White square indicates the inhabitant situation of H. gelao.

Etymology: The specific epithet is named after Gelao (in Chinese spelling) nationality. The type specimens of the new species were collected from the Huaixi-He in Daozhen Gelao Autonomous County, northern Guizhou Province. The Chinese common name for H. gelao is suggested as “仡佬荷马条鳅”.


Gui-Bang Xiao, Qi-Wei Guo, Liang Cao, Jia Lin, Wei-Xi Deng, Qi-Qi Xiao, Lin Zhou, Hao-Ran Zhang and Ding-Zhi Fang. 2025. Homatula gelao (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae), A New nemacheiline Species of loach from the upper Yangtze River basin in Guizhou Province, southwestern China. Zoosystematics and Evolution .101(1): 257-271. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.141973 

Thursday, February 13, 2025

[Herpetology • 2025] Dixonius hinchangsi • A New Sandstone-dwelling Leaf-toed Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Dixonius) from Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand

 
 Dixonius hinchangsi  
O. S. G. Pauwels, Das, Kunya, Sumontha, Donbundit, T. P. C. Pauwels, Sonet, Brecko & Meesook, 2025

จิ้งจกดินหินช้างสี  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5584.4.2  

Abstract
We describe Dixonius hinchangsi sp. nov. from a sandstone area near Hin Chang Si, Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand. The new species differs from all currently recognized Dixonius by the following combination of morphological characters and pattern: maximal known snout-vent length of 50.1 mm, 12 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles; 30 to 34 paravertebral tubercles; 23 to 27 longitudinal rows of ventral scales across the abdomen; six to eight precloacal pores in males, no pores in females; no canthal stripe; strongly barred lips; and a spotted to uniform dorsal pattern in males and females. We provide a cranial osteological description and a phylogenetic analysis of the new species. This discovery brings the number of recognized Dixonius species to 19, among them nine species endemic to Thailand.

Reptilia, Gekkota, morphology, taxonomy, Southeast Asia, Isan


  

Dixonius hinchangsi sp. nov.




Olivier S. G. PAUWELS, Sunandan DAS, Kirati KUNYA, Montri SUMONTHA, Nattasuda DONBUNDIT, Thomas P. C. PAUWELS, Gontran SONET, Jonathan BRECKO and Worawitoo MEESOOK. 2025. A New Sandstone-dwelling Leaf-toed Gecko (Gekkonidae: Dixonius hinchangsi) from Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand.  Zootaxa. 5584(4); 482-504. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5584.4.2 [2025-02-11]



[Paleontology • 2025] First Occurrence of the Duck-billed Dinosaur Tribe Lambeosaurini (Hadrosauridae: Lambeosaurinae) in South China


Lambeosaurini from Dalangshan Formation of Sihui City, China

in Wang, Xing, Mallon, Miyashita, Za. Liang, Zhang, Ren, Zh. Liang et Xian, 2025.


ABSTRACT
Late Cretaceous Laurasia contained a typical dinosaur fauna consisting of herbivorous hadrosaurids, ceratopsians, and carnivorous tyrannosauroids. Previously, tyrannosauroid teeth have been found in the Upper Cretaceous Dalangshan Formation of Sihui City, China. We describe a fragmentary skeleton of a duck-billed dinosaur from the same general region. The skeleton includes dorsal and caudal vertebrae, a humerus, ilium, femur and tibia. Morphological comparison and cladistic analyses support that this specimen belongs to the tribe Lambeosaurini, which is otherwise poorly represented in China. The new specimens and the previously discovered tyrannosauroid teeth represent the dominant taxa of the typical Late Cretaceous dinosaur fauna of Laurasia.

KEYWORDS: Dinosauria, Hadrosauridae, Lambeosaurinae, Lambeosaurini, Maastrichtian




 the Sihui Museum specimen
Restoration drawing by Han Zhixin


Donghao Wang, Lida Xing, Jordan C. Mallon, Tetsuto Miyashita, Zaoqun Liang, Xianqiu Zhang, Zheng Ren, Zhicong Liang and Minyi Xian. 2025. First Occurrence of the Duck-billed Dinosaur tribe Lambeosaurini (Hadrosauridae: Lambeosaurinae) in South China. Historical Biology: An International Journal of Paleobiology. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2025.2454652